Cops attacked after suicide

TT, Cooch Behar, Aug. 23: Four policemen, including a sub-inspector of the Kotwali police station, were attacked and their vehicle stoned by a mob after they went to take away the body of a youth who had allegedly hanged himself.

According to police, Jumantul Hossain, 22, was found hanging from a tree 200m from his home around 6am in the Harinchaura area, which is about 5km from Cooch Behar. In his suicide note, Jumantul named a woman leading a self-help group and said she had "implicated me in a false case".

The Telegraph could not contact the woman for a reaction. She has fled the area.

Police sources said the youth had been implicated in a rape case by the woman who leads the 17-member self-help group. Jumantul's mother was a member of the same group and had allegedly spoken out against the group leader alleging that she had misused funds of the group.

This morning, after the news of the alleged suicide spread, policemen came to retrieve the body of Jumantul, who is a graduate from ABN Seal College.

Police sources said the policemen were attacked by villagers who alleged that the youth had been harassed by the police. The police have denied harassing the youth.

"About one-and-a-half months ago, there was a dispute among the members of the group over finances. Both sides filed complaints against each other with the Kotwali police station. We have come to know that the two groups had even come to blows," a source said.

The police sources said after they were attacked, reinforcements were sent by the Kotwali police. The body was taken away for post-mortem.

Cooch Behar police superintendent Sunil Yadav said seven persons had been arrested. "The police are patrolling the area. There are cases and counter-cases against group members and the matter is being heard in high court."